Characters in a work of fiction are very important, and should be portrayed in their own comprehensive way. In the novel The Great Gatsby writer F. Scott Fitzgerald creates characterization throughout his entire book. Characterization is one of the most significant parts of The Great Gatsby. Characters maintain the books plot, and build the readers attention of the book. All of Fitzgerald's characters are carefully detailed, and each is specified many different kinds of personalities. Jay Gatsby also known as James Gatz is perhaps the most interesting character in the novel for countless reasons. Gatsby was a great gentleman and was very successful. Fitzgerald uses numerous unusual types of habits to depict Jay Gatsby as the wealthy and grand man that he is. Jay Gatsby was a noble man who got pulled into a society in which he became brainwashed.
Time is considered an essential aspect in great novels; Fitzgerald uses time constantly throughout his book in the company of his characters. One of Fitzgerald's characters, Gatsby, represents a man who wants to go back in time, and believes he can modify things from the present to the past. This can be uncovered when Gatsby speaks his mind to Nick, "Can't repeat the past?" he cried incredulously. "Why of course you can!" He looked around him wildly, as if the past were lurking here in the shadow of his house, just out of reach of his hand. "I"m going to fix everything just the way it was before""(Fitzgerald 116). Jay Gatsby believes that he can manifest a fantasy life where he is prosperous, and where Daisy is devoted to him. R. W. Stallman in his critical essay states, "To fix time and reinstate thus the past in the present, to wipe the slate clean and begin anew - that is Gatsby's illusion"(Stallman 57). Gatsby's beliefs that he can fix time are symbolized as an illusion, which will by no means occur. Gatsby goes throughout numerous obstacles to gain the illusion of Daisy becoming aware of him.